The effects of differing and often opposing language policies on the sociolinguistic position of the Alsatian language are discussed. An attempt is made to show how the function and scope of Alsatian have been reduced, and how borrowings from French have created a dialect with unique characteristics. It has survived despite its lack of official status and has become a symbol of Alsatian ethnic identity. The primary area of focus is the dialect variety spoken in the city of Strasbourg. Alsatian, a German dialect spoken in Eastern France, is thought to have been influenced by alternating French and German dominance and concomitant differing language policies. Subjected to policies aimed at producing linguistic assimilation and uniformity, Alsatian has survived as an unwritten speech. Through intensive and prolonged exposure to French, it has incorporated numerous French borrowings that underwent characteristic phonological and morphological changes. More recently, a general trend toward regionalism in France and an upsurge of protest movements, aimed at defending the rights of minorities, have generated a revival of the dialect. (SW)